Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

>
As probably the most nasty and vocal critic of the UAE "endurance" 
scene, I can appreciate Steph's point of view.  First, it is definitely 
news, it is definitely happening, and whether or not it is a trend that 
will change the face of endurance forever or just a passing fancy of 
some rather wealthy riders remains to be seen.  Second, if someone 
would pay for me to go to an interesting country on the other side of 
the world, I'd usually jump at the chance as well.  My caution is 
always that people remember when they go that they are part of a show 
and as such are not seeing a lot of the reality around them.  I have to 
admit that you couldn't get me to take one of my own horses over there 
for love or money, knowing what I know about the way the races are 
run....on the other hand, I would have a snowball's chance in hell of 
being invited as well.  I appreciate Steph covering the UAE nonsense 
for us.  I like to know what's going on, the good, the bad, and the 
ugly.   And I'll bet anything that Steph appreciates the sort of ride 
that SHE puts on all the more for her experience.

Maryanne Gabbani



> I'll give you my candid reasons for involvement with UAE events.
>
> 1. as an Endurance news website: I try to present to the world, what is
> happening in the world. The Pres Cup is an extreme endurance Racing 
> event -
> money, press, betting, groomed flat track. Not the sport that we 
> nurture
> here in the US. My personal opinion is that events like this are bad 
> for our
> sport. ...But Endurance Net is a news medium, and the Pres Cup is
> newsworthy. Everyone will have their own opinions as to whether it is
> bad/good/indifferent for the sport of endurance. My goal with 
> Endurance Net
> is to provide the information - let people know what is happening out 
> there,
> as well as at home. Once you know, you can do what you will with the
> information. (it was not an accident that I put the Pres Cup banner 
> below
> Frank's comments)
>
> 2. as a rider: When I received an invitation to ride in the World Cup
> (Dubai) with Khruschev, I didn't hesitate for a second. Everybody has a
> price, mine is the thrill of adventure. I ate their food, I dined and
> lounged in tents set up in the middle of the desert - carpets, hubbly 
> bubbly
> pipes, the feel and smell of mid-Eastern air. I spent 3 weeks in an 
> exotic
> foreign country with my husband and one of my sons. I rode across sand 
> dunes
> among the camels - this was AWESOME! I met some very fine people. It 
> was a
> most incredible adventure, I don't regret it for a second, and I would 
> do it
> again.
>
> Steph
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of KimFue@xxxxxxx
> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 10:02 AM
> To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [RC] President's Cup Race (in my opinion)
>
>
> This is only my opinion and as I reread what I wrote I know it sounds 
> harsh.
> I apologize for not being able to put my opinion in words that are 
> softer
> and less offensive.  I know I may be sorry I ever posted this to a 
> public
> list but I am just so tired of the endless propaganda campaign that is 
> being
> waged to promote the UAE style of racing through e mails I receive and
> advertizing on both endurance.net and Endurance News.
>
> Sandy wrote that she would like to see Americans interviewed at the
> President's Cup.  Any American that is over there to be interviewed
> obviously agrees with the "President Cup Concept" or they wouldn't
> participate in that venue as a rider, vet, or trainer.  When the best 
> US
> riders accept invitations to race they are in essence telling the 
> world that
> they and unfortunately the USA (they do represent US endurance riding 
> even
> if it is not "formal representation"because the home country is 
> mentioned
> and many of these same riders do represent the US at FEI events) that 
> this
> type of racing is OK.  It is amazing what a lot of money and hype and 
> hoopla
> can cover up....this is really not that much different than a back 
> yard jack
> pot race (fast courses, betting, and big purses) wearing the clothing 
> of an
> Olympic style event.  I may not like this style of endurance riding 
> and I do
> not think it is good for the sport but what I hate even more is the
> hypocrisy of so many riders that choose to participate.  I wish those 
> riders
> would just come out and say we are here for the free trip, the perks, 
> and
> the purse.  But instead I have heard so many praise UAE and the racing
> system created in the middle east.  I would bet that these same 
> endurance
> riders would condemn this type of riding if it popped up in the US 
> without
> the "big bucks" backing it.  In my eyes, the top riders around the 
> world
> are invited and bought only to bring legitimacy and prestige to an 
> event
> that would otherwise be condemned by most of the international 
> endurance
> community.  I could stomach this a lot better if every one were just 
> honest
> about what is going on.  There are many equestrian sports that become
> corrupt from big money....this type of endurance racing would not be 
> the
> first.
>
> Kim Fuess
>
>
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